Sikh motorcyclists demand exemption from rules stating they must wear a helmet - because removing their turbans takes a long time
- Sikh motorcyclists are demanding to be granted an exception from helmet laws
- A group of Sikhs from regional New South Wales say removing turbans is hard
- Farmers from Woolgolga want to be able to ride low speeds helmet-less
- Sikh Motorcycle Club of Australia say Sikhs are being discriminated against
A group of Sikh motorcyclists are demanding to be granted an exception from helmet laws because the untying and re-tying of their turbans is taking up too much time.
The Sikhs from Woolgolga in regional New South Wales say attending functions and wedding receptions is becoming an ordeal because they can't fit their helmets over their traditional garb.
'To tie it properly it takes at least 10 to 15 minutes. That's why we need an exemption from wearing the helmet,' Ajit Nurpuri told the ABC.
The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Australia told Daily Mail Australia they feel they have been discriminated against with the helmet laws.
'In Australia due to strict law about helmets, we are forced to wear helmets which we feel is discriminatory as we have to remove our turbans to wear helmets,' a representative for the club said.
A group of Sikh motorcyclists are demanding to be granted an exception from helmet laws because the untying and re-tying of their turbans is taking up too much time
The group of men, who are blueberry farmers by trade, say they rarely are travelling on highways and are requesting the exception for low speed riding.
'Whenever we go to attend any functions and marriage functions, or we go to the temple we have to then tie on our turban,' Mr Nurpuri said.
They say travelling under '50 or 60 kilometres an hour' is a safe enough speed to ride without the safety headgear and would save them considerable time in relation to their turbans.
The Sikhs from Woolgolga say attending functions is becoming an ordeal because they can't fit their helmets over their traditional garb
Manveer Singh, a younger member of the group who rides a Harley Davidson, says the rules should only apply to local roads and not to highways.
He says if they were granted an exception he would be able to wear his formal 'crown' turban which takes more time to apply, rather than the small turban he wears to fit under his helmet.
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The group have approached Coffs Harbour councillor John Arkan, who is the state's first Sikh representative, to help them in their efforts.
Mr Arkan said while he appreciated their situation, it was not something he would consider.
'I would wear a helmet. I've only got this head and I don't particularly want to damage it,' he said.
The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Australia told Daily Mail Australia they feel they have been discriminated against with the helmet laws
The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Australia told Daily Mail Australia 'almost all Turban-wearing Sikhs' face similar problems with constantly removing their religious garb.
'We have had lots of local Sikhs contacting us to raise our voice against this discriminatory law. Traditionally and historically all Sikhs wear turbans but the helmet law in Australia takes our freedom of religion away from us,' the representative said.
'Similar laws were changed in parts of Canada and UK and we do seek the exception here in Australia as well although we haven't challenged the law yet.'
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